Collapsible egg-crate.



E. T. WORSTER. I

GOLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APELIOATION FILED MAY10L1913.

1 089,614, Patented Mar. 10, 1914. 2 SHEETS-SHEBT l.

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E. T. WORSTER.

GOLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1913.

1 ,089,6 1 4. Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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COLUMBIA pLANoan/mh CO.,WASHINGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD T. WORSTER, OF WOODSFIEL-D, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO 3'. F. GRASLEY.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG-CRATE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD T. Wonsrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVoodsfield, in the county of Monroe and State of Ohio, have invented a new and use ful Collapsible Egg-Crate; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the art of crates, boxes and the like, and particularly pertains to a new and useful collapsible or foldable crate for eggs and the like.

An object of the invention is the provision of a crate of this character, in which the cover thereof is latched to the crate or box, whether the same is constructed for use or collapsed or folded.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a spring latch carried by each side of the cover, which may be disengaged from the crate or box by means of a spring wire member, which is provided with loop arms to actuate the latch.

Another feature of the invention is to provide the box or crate portions proper with collapsible end and side pieces including a partition piece, there being suitable means carried by each side having arched loops to engage the end and partition pieces, to hold such parts in erect positions.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterations fall within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the improved box or crate constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing the spring latches as having been disengaged from the body of the box or crate by means of the loops or arms of the spring wire member. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the box or crate showing the cover removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional view, showing the sides and ends of the crate or box folded or collapsed. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing the parts on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the structure shown in Fig. 5 showing the latch member actuated. Fig. 7 is a transverse Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 10, 1913.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914. Serial No. 766,763.

sectional view showing the sides and ends of the crate collapsed, with the cover thereof latched in engagement therewith. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one corner of the box showing the means for latching one of the sides of the crate or box to one of the end pieces thereof. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the latch members.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings 1 designates the lower portion of the body of the box or crate having a bottom 2. The sides of the lower portion 1 of the crate or box are of different heights as shown clearly in Fig. 7, and hinged at 3 and 4 to the sides 5 and 6 of the lower portion of the crate or box are the extension side pieces 7 and 8. It will be noticed that the sides 5 and (3 of the lower portion of the crate or box are of different height so that the extension sides 7 and 8 may fold inwardly upon one another, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. The end pieces 9 and 10 are hinged at 11 to the bottom 2 of the lower portion of the crate or box, and as shown in Fig. at these end pieces 9 and 10 are collapsed or folded inwardly against the bottom. Extending trans\"ersely of the bottom and ar ranged substantially centrally thereof is a rib 12, to which a central partition piece 13 is hinged at 14:, and which is adapted to fold or collapse upon the end piece 10, shown in Fig. 4t. The sides 5 and (3 of the lower portion of the 'crate or box are provided with recesses 15, the purpose of which will appear, while th extension sides 7 and 8 are provided with similar recesses 16.

Mounted in a groove 17 and in bearings 18 of each side is a rocking rod or wire 19, constructed with L-shaped loop or arch arms 20, which are designed to engage the notches or recesses of the end and partition pieces, which notches are designated by the numeral 21. When the arch arms or loops are disengaged from the recesses or notches 21, portions thereof are received in the recesses 22 of each side, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. This rock wire or rod with its arch or loop arms 20 constitutes means to hold the sides, end and partition pieces erect, that is, when the box or crate is erected or con structed ready for shipping produce, such as eggs and the like, as well as merchandise.

The opposite sides 24 of the cover 25 of the box or crate are provided with vertical recesses 26, which merge into recesses 27 of the upper face of the cover. Where the recesses :26-and 27 merge together a rod 28 is arranged, which secures the coils 29 of the spring latches 30 in place. The vertical arms of the spring latches are received in the vertical recesses 26, while the arms 31 are arranged in the recesses 27. Each side of the cover is provided with a horizontally arranged recess 32, which intersects the vertical recesses 26, and merging from the ends of each recess 32 are vertical recesses 33. As shown in Fig. 5 the lower portions of the recesses 26 are inclined inwardly and downwardly. Arranged in each recess 32 and mounted in bearings 3'4: is a horizontal portion 35 of a wire latch actuating member 36, the vertical portions of which are received in the recesses 33. The lower portion of each member 36 is bent at right angles toward the body of the box or crate, with the lower horizontal portion or rod under the edge of the side of the cover, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. The horizontal portion 35 of each member 36 is constructed with arch arms 38 which extend at angles to the vertical portions of the member 36, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the arms 38 will engage or lie against the lower inclined portions of the recesses 26. The arms 38 are disposed beneath or underlie the vertical portions of the latch member, so that when the member 36 is thrown outwardly and upwardly, the arm 38 will contact with the vertical portions of the latch member, thereby likewise throw the latch member outwardly and upwardly, against the action of the spring coils 29, so as to disengage the lateral nose portions 39 from either of the recesses 15 or 16. hen the lateral nose portions 39 engage either of the recesses 15 or 16, regardless whether the box or crate is erected or collapsed, the cover will be held securely latched in position. The lateral nose portion extends through a slot on each side of the cover, as shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 7 From the foregoing it will be noted there has been devised a simple and efficient collapsible egg shipping crate or box, including fastening means carried by the cover and fastening means to connect the sides and ends, and one which has been found desirable and practical.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In combination, a collapsible crate body including a cover therefor, said crate body comprising a partition member, end members, and side pieces, a rocking wire embedded in each side piece and having arch portions to engage the end and partition members.

2. In combination, a collapsible crate body including a cover therefor, said crate body comprising a partition member, end members and side pieces, the end members and partition member having notches, a rocking wire embedded in each side piece having L- shaped arches arranged in alinement to en gage said notches to hold said partition, end and side members locked in erect positions.

3. In combination, a collapsible crate body including a cover therefor, means for clasping the cover to the crate body either distended or collapsed, said crate body comprising a partition member, end members, and side pieces, a rocking wire embedded in each side piece and having arch portions to engage the end and partition members.

l. In combination, a collapsible crate body including a cover therefor, clasping means for the cover for clasping the same to the crate body whether in a distended or collapsed condition, said crate body comprising a partition member, end members, and the side pieces, the end and partition members having notches, a rocking wire embedded in each side piece having L-shaped arches arranged in alinement to engage said notches to hold said partition, end and side members locked in erect positions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDIVARD T. WORSTEB.

WVitnesses:

W. B. LYNCH, O. S. lWIANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

